So I am a lazy blogger. I make many excuses, but the simple fact is I am lazy! And now I missed my “year end blog” deadline. Each year I write a top ten list of my favorite or most memorable events of 2013. It is currently 2014 and I am just now sitting down to write. Let’s see, where do I start. It has been a tough year with many ups and downs. There has been twists and turns as well as lots of change in my life. But I have kept chugging through the days, weeks and months. So lets look at some of my highlights!
Goals: Early in 2013 my goal was to become a better runner! I set the goal to run 500 miles during the 2013 calendar year. I didn’t make that goal. I hit 446 miles on November 9th. Seems like I should have been able to run 54 miles in 8 weeks. The running goal didn’t happen, but I had another goal for 2013 that did. I wanted to get a stamp in my unused passport. The week before my buddy left Space Camp in April I told her how envious I was of her adventurous spirit. On November 16, I entered Baku, Azerbaijan and got my passport stamped. I didn’t run while I was overseas and then I contracted the Baku Flu upon returning to the US. I have 2014 to run 500 miles. Plus, I did run a half Ironman triathlon, which was a goal. It wasn’t terrible missing the mark!
Baku: I spent a month in a crazy country with a made-up sounding name, Baku, Azerbaijan. How could I turn down a chance to work with power tools in an all white building in a country whose language I had no clue how to speak. Seems like a win-win situation only if you throw in a bartender named Elvin! I loved working with the people of Azerbaijan and I miss them tremendously. Forget the cow heads or bucket of hooves on the street curb or the fact that a restaurant told me my credit card was not accepted because it was black. People should not judge someone’s credit based on color. It was amazing, even if I missed a lot of great SEC football!
HTC: In 2012, twelve of my favorite people, against our better judgement, decided to run Ragnar Relay from Chattanooga to Nashville, Tennessee. Well by the grace of God and the sharp eyes of Sandy Henson, twelve more of my favorite people traveled to Oregon for the grandfather of all 200 mile relays, Hood to Coast. We ran from Mount Hood to the Pacific coast near Seaside, Oregon in 29 hours. It was an amazing with a wonderful storyline. Shaggy had to go to the hospital. Jennifer Bell traded her shirt for a beer. We had zero cellular coverage. We slept in a van. And I made some amazing memories. It was an amazing adventure, one I would have never thought I would have been a part of just a year earlier. My team mates were terrific and the scenery breath taking.
Grandpa: This year we said good bye to a great man. Most of the time you don’t recognize a death in a year in review, but I was lucky to know Grandpa! I am lucky to know his family. The DiCarlo and Hailey families are my Huntsville family. They take care of me and make me feel at home. Jerry Groff was their cornerstone for years. Grandpa never met a stranger. He was always concerned about other people, even if he had known you for 20 minutes he counted you as his friend. I have a family here in Huntsville, because of Grandpa’s example to his daughters. One of my favorite nights this fall was outside the Hailey house with Grandpa watching the Mississippi State and Auburn game. He was so concerned about each of his guests. He told stories of life in Buffalo and Mel Tormé. I hope when I am in the twilight of my life, I can be as gracious as Grandpa!
Homecoming: I know a lot of my favorite things this year have been tied to my trip to Baku, but I can’t leave off the homecoming. I missed so much while I was gone, Thanksgiving, birthday’s, football, Peyton Manning, and my mom even had surgery. They didn’t have chicken biscuits or Diet Mountain Dews in Azerbaijan. It seemed like being on the other side of the world makes you miss everything just a little bit more. When I returned home, I had my best friend to pick me up. However, little did I know a few more friends where their to greet me. It was amazing. To see friendly faces was so precious. The hugs were priceless… but the puppy dog Santa graphic and alliteration of the welcome home signs was, I am sure, the work of a million dollar artist and wordsmith. Thanks, little Snap, Hoot, Marcia and you too Kim & Tank!
HOF: True, the Space Camp ditched their Hall of Fame event this year in a mysterious on again off again fashion. Instead, I visited the Pro Football Hall of Fame with my nephews in March and attended the National Aviation Hall of Fame Enshrinement in October. Both adventures should have made my list separately but remember, I am a lazy blogger. The adventure with my nephews was too cool. They shared many toots and farts in the car ride with me. We had fun in Louisville on the ride home. I made them a promise to visit again when Peyton Manning is inducted. The other trip was one I will remember for a life time because my high heel shoes killed my feet. No really, I was truly honored to be in attendance when my astronaut hero Hoot Gibson was enshrined as a legend in aviation history!
70.3: I have always loved sports, but I haven’t participated at the level I should have. I have always been a failure when it comes to sports. I played basketball for a few years, quit. I played golf and softball pretty consistently, but never as committed as I should be. I even played college soccer for a year or so but sucked at it. In 2012, I started running triathlons and in 2013 I completed a half Ironman. I drove to Augusta, Georgia for the Ironman 70.3. It was a great weekend. I struggled on the run but smoked the bike. It was a great accomplishment, but I do look forward to Raleigh 70.3 in June and Ironman Chattanooga in September. I feel like I have given my all to the sport of triathlon. We will see, I got a lot of shit to do to prepare.
Football: Everyone knows that Peyton Manning is my boyfriend. Well, Peyton may not know! This has been a terrific year for MVP Peyton Manning and his Broncos. More than just Peyton, this football season has been amazing and outstanding. Much of the college and NFL season I spent overseas. I spent many early mornings glued to my iPad or listening to ESPN Radio just to connect with SEC football and dear ole Peyton. The nights I will remember for the rest of my life. Bo Wallace coughing up the football in overtime during the Egg Bowl and my phone having an aneurism when Chris Davis ran a missed field goal back for a touchdown in the Iron Bowl. I am lucky to have a boy friend like Peyton, to grow up a Bulldog, and to be adopted by my fellow War Eagle fans! I love football!
Historically I have picked 10 things to write about. However, I opted not to because I would dilute my memories. I had a great year, but it has been a hard year. I look to 2014 to be bigger and better. I thought I would put my goals for the year as a conclusion.
Duh… Ironman Chattanooga: I will have to swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and run 26.2 miles. I want to just finish, but I want to finish with a pace of no more than 14 minutes on the run.
Happy, Happy, Happy: I want to find more happiness in my life. I am sometimes described as grumpy or intimidating. I want to be considered as friendly and giving.
Adventure: I want to see more, do more and live more. I want to travel and be adventurous. Baku gave me a great start. I just need to continue. Let’s light this candle in 2014.